Half of lakes and streams in southern Minnesota found too polluted for safe swimming, fishing

Half the lakes and rivers in southern Minnesota are too polluted much of the time for safe swimming and fishing, according to a new state survey that could intensify efforts to protect Minnesota’s surface waters.

The finding emerged from a five-year assessment of Minnesota’s watersheds by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which concluded that the problems are worsening and will require 20 to 30 years to address.

“This is further indication that our water challenges continue to increase,” said Shannon Lott- hammer, who heads the MPCA’s environmental analysis division.

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